Case for personal use



Feb. 4, 1958 E. K. RENZ CASE FOR PERSONAL USE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1956 AI VENTOR. WW

ATTOBNEY Feb. 4, 1958 E. K. RENZ CASE FOR PERSONAL USE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1956 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent '0 CASE FOR PERSONAL USE V Emil K. Renz, Dedham, Mass., assignor to Knight Leather Products, Inc., Jamaica Plain, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 24, 1956, Serial No. 567,635 9 Claims (Cl. 150-34 The present invention relates to containers useful as travelling cases, shaving kits, jewel boxes and the like and, more particularly, to cases for personal use having walls covered with leather, plastic, fabric or other compliant but durable material of pleasing appearance and touch.

The object of the present invention is toprovide a case of the-foregoing type constructed from (1) an initially flat, peripherally stitched sub-assembly, sequential sections of which are shaped form various walls of the case and (2) pairs of inner and outer gussets, which are bonded to form remaining walls of the case and to grip flaps extending from free edges of these sequential sections, thereice the edges of the front, bottom and rear walls. Each outer gusset has a row of stitching 38 along its edges to impart, in conjunction with row of stitching 30, the appearance of hand or machine stitching of the type commonly known as French stitching, joining the gussets and the sub-assembly. A pair of interlocking catches 40 and 42 serve to detachably fasten front flap 18 to front wall 10.

Sub-assembly 20, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, includes, in registration: a covering layer 44 composed, for example, of leather, plastic or fabric; reinforcing strips 46, 48 and 50, 52 composed, for example, of a strong fibre tape; a padding layer 54 composed, for example, of paper or textile wadding; a stiffening layer 56 composed, for example, of cardboard or fibreboard; and a lining layer 58 composed, forexample', of fabric or felt. The various layers and'strips are bonded in the above sequence to each other by suitable adhesives.

by permanently maintaining the cases shape. Preferably,

the outer gussets are peripherally stitched to impart the impression that the sequential sections of the assembly and the gussets are joined by rows of hand stitching paralleling their junctions. This unusually simple and inexpensive construction results in a case of expensive appearance and rugged durability.

Other objects will be in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the construction, .combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified, in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of which will be indicated in the appended claims. I

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is an isometric view of a partially opened case embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing in sequence an outer gusset, a fragment of the shaped sub-assembly and an inner gusset of the case of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a flat plan view of the sub-assembly before being stitched;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-assembly, taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a flat plan view of the sub-assembly after being stitched.

Generally, the exemplary case illustrated in the drawings asembodying the present, invention comprises: a front wall 10, a bottom wall 12, a rear wall 14, a top wall 16 and a front flap 18 that are shaped from initially flat sub-assembly 20; and a pair of opposed end walls 22 and 24 that are formed by two pairs of outer and inner gussets 26 and 28. A single row of stitching 30, aligned with the edges of the sub-assembly, securely joins the various layers of the sub-assembly to be described in detail below and positively fixes the positions of the two series of aligned flaps 32,, 34 and 36 at the opposite free edges of the front, bottom and rear walls. As indicated in Fig. 2, flaps 32,, 34 and 36 of each series are interposed between each pair of gussets which are permanently bonded together. Stitching 30 is spaced from the edges of subassembly 20 by a distance substantially equal to the thick ness of outer gusset 26 so that its outer face is flush with The final shape of sub-assembly 20 is determined by stiffening layer '56, which is divided into a series of sections 60, 62,64, 66 and 68 that are components of front, bottom, rear. and top walls 10, 12, 14 and 16 and front flap, 18, respectively. These sections are separated from each otherpby slots 70 which extend between but not through the longitudinal edges of the stiffening layer and are integrally joined at their adjacent corners by narrow links 72, that act as hinges when the sub-assembly is shaped. Y

Covering layer 44 is more extensive than padding, stiffening and lining layers 54, 56. and 58. The covering layer provides edges 74, 76, 78 and 80 which to some extent overlapthe-free edges of sections 60 and 62,,the upper portions of the free edges of'section 64 andthe transverse free edge of section 68. The covering. layer further provides edges 82 and 84 which toa greater extent overlap the lower portions of the free edges of section 64 and the longitudinaledges of sections 66 and 68. Pairs of tapes 46, 48 and 50, 52 extend to the extremities of the free corners of edges 82 and 84. Edges 82 and 84 are notched at 86 and 88 in alignment with the slots 70 separating stiffening sections 64, 66 arid 68. Asshown in Fig. 5, the overlapping edges of covering layer'44 are snugly bent about the edges of stiffening layer 56 and sewn into position by row of stitching 30 referred to above. v h

Sub-assembly 20 is easily bent along slots 70 to provide the various elongated portions of the illustrated case. As shown in Fig. 2, flaps 32, 34 and 36 are bent outwardly and gripped between outer and inner gussets 26 and 28. Outer gusset 26 includes a stiffening layer 90 of the same composition as stiffening layer 56 and a covering layer 92 of the same composition as covering layer 44. Inner gusset '28 includes a stiffening layer 94 of the same composition as stiffening layer 56 and a lining layer 96 of the same composition as lining layer 58. In fabricating the illustrated case, the adjacent faces of the stiffening layers of gussets 26 and 28 are coated with a suitable. adhesive, sub-assembly 20 is bent into desiredshape, and the gussets are pressed together with flaps 32, 34 and 36 therebetween.

Examples of adhesives suitable for this purpose are formulations of natural latex, resin, ammonia and water or of natural rubber, resin and naphtha, which afterbeing coated and before the termination of their tack period form a firm bond when subjected to pressure. One way of firmly bonding gussets 26 and 28 together with flaps 32, 34 and 36 interposed therebetweenis to position the inner gusset on a wooden block located within the case and to tap the outer gusset with a hammer. i

The illustrated case thusis manufactured simply by registering, bonding andsewing thecovering; padding, stiffening and lining layers 44, 5'4, 56, 58 and'strips 46, 48 and 50, 52 to provide the sub-assembly 20 with reinforced flaps 32, 34 and 36, by bending the assembly 3 along slots 70 in the stiffening layer, and by bonding the flaps between pairs of gussets 26 and 28. The illustrated case as a result is attractively finished both inside and out.

Since certain. changes may .be made in the above-described device without departing .frorrrthetseope oil the invention herein-involved, it is. intended-tha-tallnratter contained in. the above description: and-* shown inthe accompanying drawings be. interpreted-1 in. an illustrative and not in alimit-ing sense.

I claimas my invention:

1. A container comprising, certain'walls' provided by an assembly of a first layer and-a. second layer, said certain walls includingaxfront wall, a bottom wa-llaand' a back wall; fixed with'respect 'to each; other, and a top wall. andia front flap movable with'r'espect to="each-.other andtwith respectto said front wall, said bottom wall and said back wall, the opposite edges ofi snid-front'walLsaid bottom wall and said baek wall lying substantially in a pair of parallel planes, flaps extending from .said' front wall, said bottom walland: said back wall along said opposite edges,- said layers: being joined along their'edges by stitching that substantially fixes the positions of said flaps with respect to: said oppositeedges, and other walls lying along said planestprovided by pairs of gussets which are bonded. together with said flaps therebetween.-

2. A case-for personal use' comprising 'sequential walls provided bytan; assembly of? Stifi'ening and-covering layers and flaps extending therefromalong'opposite free edges of a plurality of said walls, said layers being joined along saidoppositefree edges by stitching, and sidewalls provided by pairs of gussets=which are-bonded together with said flaps therebetween.

3. A container comprising sequential'walls provided by an assembly of stiffeningtand" coveri'nglayers, flaps extendingtherefrorn alongopposi-te free'cdges of a plurality of said walls; said layers being joine'd along said opposite freeedges by a row of stitchingthat substantially fi xes the positions of said flaps with respect to said" opposite free edges, and side walls' provided by pairs ofouter and inner gussets whichare bonded together with said-flaps therebetween, the distance from said row ofstit'ching'to' said opposite freeedges being substantially equal to'thethickness of said outer gussets, whereby theexposedfa'ces of said outer gussets'are' flush with said opposite free edges.

4; A container comprising an assembly which inclu'des a.covering layer, a stiffening layer and a lining layeiisaid covering 'layer' being 'of greater extent than said stiffening layer and said'lining layer, the outer portions'of the edges of said covering layer being reverselybentabout the edges of said stifle'ninglayerand the edges of said lining layer; a row of stitching alongxthe periphery of saidlassembly joining the inner portions ofthe'edges'of' said covering layer, the edgesof' said stitfeningla'yer, the edgesmf said lining layer,v and said outer portions ofthe edges ofsaid covering layer, said. assembly providing in sequence a front wall, ai-bottom. wall, a back walha top wallanda frontfiap, said outer portions of the edges of said'covering layer having extensions thatprovide co-planar flaps at the opposite free edges of said'front-wall, said bottom wall and said back wall, said front wall and back' wall being parallel to each other, said'bottom wall being perpendicular to said front wall and said back wall, said top walland said front flap being: movable with respect to each other and withiresoect to said back wall, outer and. inner gussets that are bonded together with said co-planar flaps therebetween, a first mated element on said front wallandf a second mated element on said.front'fiap,,said first mat'ed'element andsaid secondvmated. element beingladapted to be interlocked. I

fitlTlie container'oficlaim4 wherein. said'fi'ont walllsaid bottom. wall, said 'back. wall,- said; top walI; and said front '4 flap are bounded by parallel slots in said stiffening layer. 6. A container comprising an assembly which includes a covering layer, a stitfeninglayer and a lining layer, said covering layer being of greater extent than said stifiening layer and said lining layer, the outer portions of the edges of said covering layer being reversely bent about the edges of said stitfening layer and the edges of said lining layer, a row of stitching along the periphery of said assembly joining the inner portions of the edges of said covering layer, the edges of'said stiffening layer, the edges of said lining layer, and said outer portions of the edges of said covering layer, said assembly providing in sequence a front wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a front flap which are separated from each other by slots in said stiffening layer, said outer portions of the edges of said covering layer having integral extensions that provide co-planar flaps at the opposite free edges of said front wall,.said bottom walland said back wall, said front wall and said back wall being parallel to each other, said bottom wall being'perpendicular to said front wall and said back wall, said top'wall and said front flap'being movable with respect to each'other and with respect to said back wall,..outer and inner gussets that are bonded together with: said co-planar flaps therebetween, a first mated element on said front wall and a second mated element on said front flap, said first mated element and said second mated element beingadapted to be interlocked, said row of stitching being spaced from said free-edges by a distance substantially equal to-the thickness of one of said outer gussets, said outer gussets being covered by a material similar to the material of said covering layer.

7.-The container of claim 6 wherein the extremities'of said slots are spaced 'from the edges of said stifiening layer.

8; A case for personal use comprising sequential first wall portions provided by an assembly of stiffening and covering layers and flaps extending therefrom along opposite free edges of said wall portions, said layers being joined along said opposite free edges by stitching, and second wall portions provided by pairs of wall strata that are bonded together with said flaps therebetween.

9*. A container comprising an assembly which includes a covering layer, a stilfening layer and a lining l'a'yer, said covering layer being of greater extent than said stifiening' layer and said lining layer, the outer portions of said edgesof'sa'id covering layer being reversely bent. about the edges of said stilfening layer and the edges of said lining l'ayer, a row of stitching along the periphery of said assembly joining the inner portions of the edges of said covering layer, the edges of said stiffening layer, the edgesiof said lining layer, and said outer portions of. the edges of said covering layer, said assembly'pr'o'viding a'sequenc'e' of first wall portions, said outer portions of the edges of said coveringllayer having integral-extensions that provide flaps at the opposite freeledges of said first wall portions, outer and inner wall strata that are bonded together with said flaps therebetweento provide second wall portions, said row of stitching being spaced from said free edges by a distance substantially equal tothe thickness of one of said outen-wall'strata.

References Citedinthe' fil'e of" this patent UNITED=.STATES PATENTS 9215603 Flora e May 11, 1909 2231 2198 Scott Feb. 11, 1 941 2,336,898 Arnold Dec. 7, 1943 2,410,981" Mevi Nov. 12, 1 946 2,419,165 Re'nz Apr. 15, 1947 217383042" Dalton Mar; 13, 1956 

